Ben Shepherd

Mr. Ben Shepherd was a brother of Mrs. Robert Anderson. Having settled in Clive in the early 1900s. The house was located on the northwest corner of Harbach and 86th Street (Barr Bicycle Shop).

This was the showplace of Clive. The yard was fenced in and solid with flowers. This was his life and hobby. I can still see the old well built up about 3 feet with bricks and the old oak bucket which descended into the well. This was covered with vines and other greenery.

Mr. Shepherd was a bachelor. He was a slave. It is not known how the two or three families settled in this small community. He owned and farmed 10 acres south of the railroad tracks. (Now Westtown Lumber Co.) This plot of ground provided him with a comfortable living. It was planted in a truck garden and cornfield.

Mr. Shepherd was a monument in our community. He was something special to us as children growing up. It is a shame some of his memories were not put in writing for future history.

After Mr. Shepherd died in the 1930s, the house was sold many times. The physical appearance of the house and yard changed. Only the “old timers” will remember this showplace from the good days.

Editor – Much as also changed since Mildred wrote this article. Westtown Lumber is gone as are most of the old timers. 🙂